Aircraft Power

EaglePicher is a forward-looking, technology-driven company. Because of this inherent core value, our main objective is to fulfill the needs of the industry when future demands surpass the current market offerings. EaglePicher is known for developing future technologies ahead of the competition and sustaining this technology throughout the lifetime of need, all-the-while, looking continually forward for what’s next.

For this reason, EaglePicher is fully vested in Lithium Ion technology for main aircraft power. No other chemistry can perform to the standard that Lithium Ion offers. With aircraft becoming more and more electric, the requirements for power generation drastically increase while the weight and volume allowance drastically decrease. For this reason, Lithium Ion becomes the only option for future aircraft power. While EaglePicher offers alternate chemistries for technology sustainment, EaglePicher is heavily focused on Lithium Ion for development.

Currently we offer the following main power Lithium Ion batteries: 30Ah, 28VDC (MAR-9522) and 45Ah, 28VDC (MAR-9526) both of which are being certified with a TSO to C-179A for Lithium Ion airworthiness standards to DO-311, DO-160G. All batteries will also be software certified to DO-178C, DAL B. In the very near future, EaglePicher will also be developing a 65Ah, 28VDC battery to add to our current product family. In addition to full battery systems, EaglePicher also manufactures battery cells, custom packaging, battery chargers and battery management systems.

Our goal is to deliver the highest quality, lightest weight, safest battery on the market that not only meets, but exceeds all of the requirements to achieve a TSO through the FAA. With the capability to design and manufacture battery cells in-house, expertise in electronics and software design, as well as complete battery integration, EaglePicher is confident that this proven battery technology ensures the highest standard of quality and safety.

Aircraft Battery History

EaglePicher Technologies, LLC has a rich history of over 50 years in aircraft batteries. EaglePicher migrated from Lithium primary and nickel-cadmium batteries for avionics and data backup in the 1960’s to nickel-cadmium main starting batteries in the 1970’s to the first Lithium Ion battery for an Emergency Stair application in 2006 and our first Lithium Ion main starting battery contract in 2010. The first rotorcraft contract for Lithium Ion main starting battery was awarded in 2013. Two UAV contracts as well as a second rotorcraft contract were awarded in 2014.

Aircraft Battery Future

EaglePicher is a dedicated to developing, certifying (through DO-311, DO-178 and DO-160) and delivering a full line of Lithium Ion batteries for main starting and emergency applications. 2015 has a very promising outlook with the recently awarded $22 million in funding under the Defense Production Act Title III Program (“DPA Title III”) for Phase II of the Lithium-Ion Battery for Military Applications (LIMA) project. In response to this, EaglePicher will build a new 100,000-plus square-foot facility. This will be required to meet future demand and is currently planned to be constructed as an expansion at our existing facility at the Crossroads Industrial Park in Joplin, Missouri, featuring state-of-the-art equipment and production areas to accommodate the large-scale manufacturing necessary for this effort.

Aircraft Battery Safety

There are typically two safety issues that have historically plagued all lithium based batteries; thermal runaway from an internal cell short and intolerance to abuse from incorrect operation. In the design of our aircraft lithium ion battery EaglePicher has taken a twofold approach to address these safety issues. With respect to condition an internal short, which is typically the cause of incidents such as a sudden explosion of a phone battery or a fire in the cargo bay of an aircraft transporting lithium cells, EaglePicher has taken the approach of mitigation. The EaglePicher aircraft battery design utilizes advanced battery packaging materials and proper cell mechanical and electrochemical design to prevent propagation within the battery in the event of a cell internal short failure. Our design approach has passed the Explosion Containment test requirements as defined in the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-311standards ”Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Rechargeable Lithium Battery Systems”. See below video of the Explosion Containment Performance test on MAR-9516 (30 Ah, 28V) Lithium-Ion aircraft Main Engine Start Battery.

Intolerance to abuse from incorrect operation, which is typically encountered during charge or discharge of improperly designed lithium ion batteries, has been addressed by taking the approach of prevention. The EaglePicher aircraft battery uses an advanced, electronic Battery Management System (BMS) that protect the lithium ion cells from abusive conditions. The battery employs two separate electronic safety systems that are dissimilar in design but redundant in function. Both systems protect the lithium ion cells from events such as over/under temperature, deep discharge and overcharge.